Star Crusader: Siege of Kalar by Thomas Michael G

Author:Thomas, Michael G.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swordworks & Miro Books

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Kalar Anchorage, 9th Quadrant

January 13th 2473

Nate gently tapped the controls, nervous that too much pressure in a direction could be the final straw to finally break his already crippled fighter. He held his breath, and then relaxed as the Phantom drifted to the right. The engines flared with power, and as before he was back in formation with his comrades. The rear cameras showed a never-ending trail of sparkling lights, a reminder that he was still losing fluid with every passing second.

“Okay, pilots,” said Commander Higgins, “The fleet is moving in closer to the Anchorage, and I mean close. Fighters will pull back to provide cover.”

“Understood,” replied Lieutenant Commander Holder, “Moving in now.”

Icons appeared on the forward console, showing their new course, and Nate checked the data before making the course changes.

“Pilots, follow my course and move to the Anchorage. Stay frosty, we’re going to run out of room fast down there.”

Nate looked to the objective as he listened. He’d already spent quite enough time ducking and diving through the complexities of the Anchorage. Now his ship was in quite a state, and just as likely to tear itself apart as it was to follow his commands.

“Sir.”

He turned his attention to Valdis. She was panting, one of those odd moments where she needed to regulate her temperature. The two were not vastly different in build, but her metabolism was clearly unique, and the Byotai well known for struggling to maintain their temperature when stressed.

“Not much longer, and…”

The spacecraft pulled hard to the left, and Nate yanked on the controls. The retro thrusters kicked in, and for a second the craft began to spin. Valdis stopped panting and grabbed her own controls. It didn’t take long to right the craft, but for their work the main reward was a dull vibration coming from one of the thruster banks.

“Great,” said Nate, “Another problem.”

The Phantom settled into a strange course, its engines constantly flaring. Nate struggled with the controls, and Valdis did her best to compensate via the computer-based trim controls. For one person it would have been all but impossible, but together they managed to keep the fighter on course. Nate looked out of the cockpit and spotted dozens of shapes off to his left. There were a lot of fighters there, and most seemed to be on his side. A glance in the other direction showed the column of ships, the mixed formation of fourteen military vessels, all still embroiled in battle.

“I can’t believe we’re still flying.”

The fighter shuddered again, and a ventral thruster collapsed, throwing them off course by several metres. Nate brought them carefully back into position, but not before redirecting more power to the stabilisers.

“Well, don’t get too excited. There’s plenty left that can go wrong. This fighter is barely holding together as it is.”

Nate understood exactly what she meant. The formation of ships was now a kilometre or two from the surface of the Anchorage, and barrelling past the outer sections of the facility. The more

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